A capital time in London

I'VE joined the smug set - starting the Christmas shopping early with my first trip to the bustling heart of the nation's capital. London's West End is home to Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, with their chic mix of high-end fashion brands,and impressive period architecture.

OF course, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I feel it necessary to point out... Christmas is coming. And yes, there are just 37 shopping days left.

Dreaded news indeed if, like me, you prefer to drop rather than shop. But there are some fates we can't escape. The sensible thing is to make it as pleasurable as possible.

This year, I've joined the smug set - and how! - starting the Christmas shopping early with my first trip to the bustling heart of the nation's capital.

London's West End is one of the world's top shopping destinations and is home to Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, with their chic mix of high-end fashion brands, flagship department stores, restaurants, bars and impressive period architecture.

All this and theatreland too, not to mention the obligatory whistle-stop tour of many of this country's most famous sights.

Our trip started as we intended to carry on in style. Travelling first class to London on Virgin's slick Pendolino trains was a rare treat and a great way to wind-down after a day in the office. Large comfortable seats, waiters dispensing free drinks and snacks, it was almost a shame when we arrived, only two-and-a-half hours later at Euston.

A quick taxi ride later and we were checking into the five-star Langham Hotel in Portland Place, just opposite the famous BBC Broadcasting House and an easy stroll into Regent Street.

The Langham was one of London's first grand hotels when it was built in 1845 and has almost completed a multi-million pound renovation, which included a huge luxury suite, cocktail bar and, later this month, a 100-seat restaurant.

We were staying in the Langham Club which has 45 rooms and two suites and is a hotel within a hotel, with their own staff and two exclusive club lounges with complimentary drinks, canapés, afternoon tea, a boardroom and CD library.

After cocktails in the swish Artesian bar we headed into town for dinner at the Gaucho Grill in nearby Swallow Street. Like its Manchester cousin, winner of the Manchester Food And Drink Festival restaurant of the year, its signature dish is Argentine sourced steak. I know it does not do much for our carbon footprint, but it is difficult to refute their claim that it is the finest beef in the world.

Tempting though it was to kick back and relax in the bar afterwards, we headed back to rest up and early next morning we were ready for our all-day assault on the shops.

The West End is said to have the highest concentration of shops in Europe with more than 600 retailers, including 95 flagship stores and more than 40 shops opening within the last 12 months. First off, it was Regent Street with its Apple store, Hamley's toy store, the ultra classy Aquascutum, COS (the higher end sister of H&M) and Spanish newcomer Hoss. Habitat, housed in a former cinema complete with Wurlitzer organ, offered a welcome opportunity for a browse and coffee in the café overlooking the store.

Heading for Bond Street, we came across the first overseas store of the American college style house Abercrombie and Fitch, in Burlington Gardens. With its booming music, low lighting and scantily-clad assistants it is more nightclub than fashion store but well worth a look. Then it was off to Bond Street which has become a byword for luxury.

A little gentler on the wallet is nearby Oxford Street, probably one of the most famous high streets in the world, with fashion stores like H&M, Primark, Zara and Topshop; and leading department stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis, which has just undergone a £61m refit, yes, £61m to refit it, not build from scratch.

Much of the money has been spent on an impressive new brasserie and bistro on the third floor. The lunchtime menus, designed to revive weary shoppers in under 30 minutes, are delicious yet inexpensive. Our two course meal, which included roast duck with creamy mash, was as good as any I've tasted.

Laden down, we made one final foray to the Disney store before heading back to the hotel to rest up and were faintly regretful that we left no room to try the Artesian's all-you-can-eat afternoon tea and perhaps a cheeky cocktail to reward ourselves for a job well done.

Before long, however, we were back in a taxi and heading for pre-theatre dinner at One Aldwych, where an elegant marble staircase sweeps down to a chic restaurant. The friendly staff are a model of unhurried efficiency and one hour proved ample time for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. Then we strolled to the lovely old Novello theatre to see Desperately Seeking Susan, a new musical, which manages to wed classic Blondie hits to the plot of the 1980s Madonna film.

Langham Club guests do not have to check out until 3pm, so next morning was dedicated to ticking off the boxes on our whirlwind sight-seeing trip, which included an open-top bus tour and a trip on the river. We discovered that it is best to decide where you want to spend time and hit it early before the crowds get too great.

All too soon our time ran out and we found ourselves back on a Manchester-bound train, weary, spent-up but totally contented with our long overdue London visit. A weekend of shopping, a visit to the theatre and some sight-seeing had passed in an instant. Now, who said men can't multi-task.

FACTFILE

Gerry McGinn travelled with Virgin Rail, which operates various ticket prices for a return trip from Manchester to Euston.

Visit virgintrains.co.uk. He stayed in the Langham Club of the Langham Hotel, where the room rate is priced between £299 and £415, depending on the night of the week and includes breakfast, all day refreshments and bar to 10.30pm in the Club Lounge, some complimentary phone calls and use of the health club and spa.

THE West End is being given back to pedestrians on December 1 when, for the first time, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street will be closed to traffic. Expect theatrical high jinks, VIP treats, live music and celebrity appearances.

OXFORD Street is already lit up for Christmas while the festive lights switch-on takes place at Regent Street on Tuesday and at Bond Street on Thursday.

EVERY Christmas, more than 40 million shoppers flock to London's West End.

TWENTY West End Red Caps helpers are on hand to greet and direct visitors to London's West End.

GET your skates on and head to Hyde Park, at the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street, to whizz round the first West End Ice Rink - the largest outdoor ice rink this year in the capital. Look out for a Santa's Grotto, Christmas markets, observation wheels and funfair rides (open from December 1 to January 6).